Beginnings Family Services

Since 1985, Beginnings Family Services has been helping build families through its infant adoption programs in Ontario. In 2010, Beginnings launched Canada’s first national open embryo donation program, extending its family-building services to individuals and families across the country. Through strong partnerships with fertility clinics across Canada and decades of experience supporting families, Beginnings has helped many people achieve their dream of parenthood through both our infant adoption and embryo donation programs. We are proud to be an inclusive agency that welcomes and supports individuals and families from all backgrounds.

Our open embryo donation program provides individuals and couples who have completed their IVF journey with the opportunity to donate their remaining embryos to others who hope to become parents. This extraordinary gift offers donors a meaningful alternative for their remaining embryos while creating the possibility of parenthood for recipient families.

At Beginnings, we take a child-centered approach to family building, supporting openness and access to information about a child’s genetic origins whenever possible. For over 40 years, we have helped families build and maintain positive relationships grounded in respect, trust, and transparency.

Our experienced social work team provides support at every stage, including guidance on openness, communication planning, and navigating relationships formed through embryo donation. Ongoing counselling is available as children grow, and questions about disclosure, identity, and connection arise. Families can also participate in a peer support community that meets regularly for connection, shared experiences, and educational sessions with guest speakers.